The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1887-10-14
A HASTY CONCLUSION.
Temple Bar

II LAO i I UNOLUOlUN
every proud family, these Beltons?"
said Frederick Haynes, intcrrogatively,
as he stretched himself on the grass near
the stream where he and his friend,
George Lyle, had been fishing.
ooh, yes, very proud can't touch 'em
with fOrty-foot pole" laughed George
Lyle.
"Oh, you needn't laugh. You know
what's reported in town about them is
true. Mother and daughter are as proud
as Lucifer"
'That's it exactly, Fred. People from
distance can always tell you more about
your neighbors than you know yourself
But what if the Beltons are proud?
That doesn't take any from the attraction
of Laura Bolton. I tell you she's
beauty, Fred, and you must not 90 back
to town without an introduction"
Now, George, l came down here to
fish, shoot and have good time with
you, not to make love to your pretty
girls, and least of all to Princess Bolton.
No introduction for me, thank you. Not
that I object particularly to being intro
duced to a pretty girl, but you see
haven't read up my pedigree of late,
neither have my credentials with me.
The fact is, never could find any use
Jori, tow cd
families, who will not proffer the tips of
their fingers until they know who your
grcat-great-gr grandfather was"
Erred, you're prejudiced."
''All right; we'll let it go at that, s"
said Fred, laughing.
The morning after this conversation
Fred Haynes, who was fond of the sad
die, probably because he was handsome
and dashing, and looked well in it,
started for a canter before breakfast.
Not very partial to riding out before
breakfast in this part of the country" "
said Fred to himself, as he rode about
two miles without meeting anybody.
But presently the sound of horses
hoofs coming tearing along a by-path he
was approaching fell upon his ear. He
reined back his horse and the next mo-
mcnt a young girl, sPlendidly mounted,
dashed out on the road, and on before
him.
As she appeared, Fred caught sight of
bright, handsome face; her figure was
perfect, and she sat in her saddle like a
born equestriennc.
Fred was quite charmed by the young
girls appearance and gave free rein to
his horse once more.
How he managed to lose control over
his horse, or how the horse managed to
land him clear across the road in an in
sensible condition, was something Fred
never could make out, unless it was that
he was paying too much attention to the
girl on before him and too little to the
spirited creature he was riding.
What had happened was painfully i'm
pressed on Fred's mind the minute he
opened his eyes. He tried to move, but
he groaned aloud with pain. His shoul-
der and ankle were 10th dislocated, and
what under Heaven was he to do here
on this lonely road, where he might lay
all dav. perhaps, without seeing the face
of human being.
Suddenly he thought of the young
girl who was before him on the road
when he fell. Did she see him fall, and
not turn back to render him any assist
ance ? No, she did not look like CIR
that would play the part of the Levite o
old
ooh, you have recovered: [ am Sc
glad" said a frank, girlish voice.
And looking up, Fred beheld the gir
of his thoughts.
The train of her habit was thrown
over her arm and in her delicate white
hands she carried a stone jug of water
She knclt down on the ground beside
him, bending her bright, handsome fac'
over him, as she said:
ooh, I'm so glad!'
"Thank YOU. " murmured Fred, and h
forgot that he had a shoulder and al
ankle, "but cannot understand how
is that l find myself in this condition.
"You were thrown from your horse,
she said, dipping her hands in the waite
and bathing his brow. 81 think you ar
severely injured"
Yes, Fred thought so, too, for h
moved again, and the pain of hi
shoulder and ankle made him vince.
Il believe my ankle IS sprained," sai'
Fred.
Then it must be attended to withou